Positioning device used on rack

ABSTRACT

A positioning device is connected between an equipment unit and a vertical support column and includes a first board, a second board and a connection portion which is connected to the first and second boards. A first positioning portion extends from the first board and a second positioning portion extends from the second board. A hook extends from one of the first board, the second board and the connection portion. The hook contacts a rear end of the side wall of the equipment unit and the first and second positioning portions are connected to the vertical support column of the rack.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a positioning device used on a rack, and more particularly, to a positioning device for more securely position equipment unit on the rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, there are multiple equipment units such as servos, cased computers and electronic appliances connected to a rack so as to save space. In order to allow each of the equipment units to be pulled from the rack for convenience of maintenance, each equipment unit is cooperated with two slide assemblies or support frames on two sides thereof so that the equipment units can be retracted in the rack and positioned by the slide assemblies or support frames.

The conventional way for positioning the equipment units is to use lugs on the front board and the lugs have holes or bolts to connect the rack to prevent the equipment units from dropping out from the rack.

However, some of the equipment units are heavy so that when they are transported, the lugs on the front board connected between the rack and the front end of the servo is not strong and secure. Similarly, the racks cannot bear vibration when in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention intends to provide a positioning device used on a rack which securely connects the equipment unit to the rack in a frequent vibration environment.

The present invention relates to a positioning device which comprises a first board having a first positioning portion extending therefrom and a first hole is defined through the first positioning portion. A second board is located corresponding to the first board and has a second positioning portion which is located corresponding to the first positioning portion. The second positioning portion is bent from the second board and has a second hole. A connection portion is connected to the first and second boards. A hook extends from one of the first board, the second board and the connection portion.

Preferably, the first positioning portion is substantially perpendicular to the first board and the second positioning portion is substantially perpendicular to the second board.

Preferably, the first board has an extension portion extending from a top thereof.

Preferably, the extension portion is substantially perpendicular to the first board.

Preferably, the hook is a U-shaped hook.

Preferably, the hook extends from a conjunction of the first board, the second board and the connection portion.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the positioning device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view to show the positioning device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view to show that the equipment unit is connected to the vertical support column of the rack;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view to show the equipment unit is connected to the vertical support column of the rack;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view to show that the equipment unit is connected to the vertical support column of the rack;

FIG. 6 shows the position relationship between the positioning device of the present invention, the equipment unit and the vertical support column of the rack;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view to show that the positioning device of the present invention is connected between the equipment unit and the vertical support column of the rack;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view to show that the positioning device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an extension portion, and

FIG. 9 shows that the extension portion of the positioning device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention contacts the equipment unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the positioning device 10 of the present invention comprises a first board 12, a second board 14 located corresponding to the first board 12, a connection portion 16 connected to the first and second boards 14, 16, and a hook 18 extending from one of the first board 12, the second board 14 and the connection portion 16. Preferably, the hook 18 extends from a conjunction of the first board 12, the second board 14 and the connection portion 16, and the hook 18 is a U-shaped hook. The first board 12 has a first positioning portion 20 extending therefrom and a first hole 22 is defined through the first positioning portion 20. The second board 14 has a second positioning portion 24 which is located corresponding to the first positioning portion 20. The second positioning portion 24 is bent from the second board 14 and has a second hole 26. The first positioning portion 20 is substantially perpendicular to the first board 12 and the second positioning portion 24 is substantially perpendicular to the second board 14.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an equipment unit 28, two vertical support columns 30 on the rear side of a rack, and two support frames 32 connected between the equipment unit 28 and the two vertical support columns 30. The support frames 32 have two connection boards 34 which face to each other and support the bottom of the equipment unit 28. Each of the vertical support columns 30 has multiple installation holes 36 and each support frame 32 has at least two pins 38 and a stop member 40. The pins 38 are inserted through the installation holes 36 of the vertical support columns 30 so as to hang the support frames 32. The stop members 40 contact the vertical support columns 30 so that the pins 38 are not separated from the installation holes 36. There are threaded holes 42 defined in the support frames 32 and located at the alignment lines to the pins 38. Referring to FIG. 5, the equipment unit 28 has a side wall 44 which protrudes from the rear side of the equipment unit 28 and is located adjacent to the vertical support column 30.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the positioning device 10 is connected between the equipment unit 28 and the vertical support column 30, wherein the hook 18 of the positioning device 10 hooks the side wall 44 of the equipment device 28. The first board 12, the second board 14 and the connection portion 16 substantially contact the side of the equipment unit 28. The first and second positioning portions 20, 24 are located corresponding to two of the installation holes 36 of the vertical support column 30. The first positioning portion 20 is connected to one of the installation holes 36 by a locking unit, and the locking unit includes a first bolt 46 and a threaded part 48. The first bolt 46 extends through the first hole 22 of the first positioning portion 20 and is connected to the threaded part 48.

The second positioning portion 24 is connected to the threaded hole 42 of the support frame 32 by a second bolt 50 inserting through the second hole 26 of the second positioning portion 24. By the engagement of the hook 18 of the positioning device 10 and the side wall 44 of the equipment unit 28, the equipment unit 28 is prevented from shaking.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the first board 12 has an extension portion 52 extending from a top thereof and the extension portion 52 contacts the top of the equipment unit 28 so that the equipment unit 28 is securely clamped between the extension portion 52 of the positioning device 10 and the connection board 34 of the support frame 32 as shown in FIG. 3. The equipment unit 28 is securely connected relative to the vertical support column 30. In a preferable embodiment, the extension portion 52 is substantially perpendicular to the first board 12 of the positioning device 10.

The equipment unit 28 is securely connected to the rack by the positioning device 10 and ensured to be firmly secured in the rack during a frequent vibration environment.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A positioning device used on a rack, comprising: a first board having a first positioning portion extending therefrom and a first hole defined through the first positioning portion; a second board located corresponding to the first board and having a second positioning portion which is located corresponding to the first positioning portion, the second positioning portion being bent from the second board and having a second hole; a connection portion connected to the first and second boards, and a hook extending from one of the first board, the second board and the connection portion.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first positioning portion is substantially perpendicular to the first board and the second positioning portion is substantially perpendicular to the second board.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first board has an extension portion extending from a top thereof.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the extension portion is substantially perpendicular to the first board.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook is a U-shaped hook.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook extends from a conjunction of the first board, the second board and the connection portion. 